NEPALGUNJ, March 2: A 16-year-old girl from Nepalgunj who was sold in India by her own maternal uncle has finally returned home. The girl, a resident of Nepalgunj Sub-metropolis-2, was taken to India by her own maternal uncle from her home about 10 years ago when she was six years old.

The girl was at a state-run children shelter in India's Almora district. A team of people's representatives, employees and human rights activists of Nepalgunj Sub-metropolis brought her back from India.

According to the girl's mother, the uncle had 'stolen' the girl when no one was at home and taken her to India. The uncle, who sold his niece in India and even tried to sexually abuse her, has been arrested by the police.

After the court's verdict, the uncle was jailed, however, the girl was still kept in the child shelter. Although she had been living in the shelter for four years, it was difficult to identify her and return her home easily due to legal complications. According to Hrithik Shahi, a child rights activist, the real secret of the incident came out only after the information regarding the case against the uncle in the court and the girl in the shelter, reached her family members.

“When we found out that the girl was in the shelter in India, we started working to bring her back, but it was not easy. After the girl could not be easily identified, the officials at the shelter asked for a DNA report. We took the girl's father and mother and went for a DNA test. After the report matched, we brought the girl home,” Shahi said.

Sunil Singh Hamal, Ward Chairperson of Ward 2, Pavitra Kumari Puri, Women Development Officer of Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolis, Nirmala Poudel, child rights activist Salman Salmani and others had gone to India a few days ago after the shelter said that the girl would be handed over to the government representatives.

The mother said that they had lost hope to see their daughter but now she has returned home, they are really happy. “We are very happy to have our daughter safe after 10 years. Not only neighbors but also relatives are coming to visit her,” she said.

Uma Thapa Magar, deputy mayor of Nepalgunj Sub-metropolis, said that the sub-metropolis would provide necessary assistance for the rehabilitation and education of the girl who has returned home from India. She urged all the agencies to provide necessary assistance in this regard.

 
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• Nepal